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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is it possible to de-sensitise the body to allergens that cause eczema?

    Related Topics
    Allergy Dermatology Eczema
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  • 2

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    Prof Ron Walls

    Pathologist (Immunologist)

    Yes, it is possible to desensitize to some allergens, for example, house dust mites. But at this point in time, it is not possible to desensitize to any foods.

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    Jennie Rogers nee Studdert

    Registered Nurse

    I have been a paediatric registered nurse for over twenty years. I am trained asthma educator, early childhood nurse and currently work in the area … View Profile

    As Professor Walls has stated, yes you can be desensitised for aero-allergens,  which maybe causing your eczema symptoms. There are two types available, one is Sublingual immunotherapy and one is Subcutaneous immunotherapy. You would need to consult an immunologist to have correct diagnosis made to determine if it is an allergen causing the eczema. 

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  • Dr Liam Beiglari

    Allergy Specialist & Immunologist

    I am a clinical immunologist and allergist. I am experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with allergic diseases, autoimmune conditions, those living … View Profile

    No. In general, we do not desensitise people to specific allergens in order to treat eczema. This is because eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is not an allergy. It is an inflammatory skin condition involving the skin barrier and immune system, so it does not usually respond to treatments that are designed for allergic rhinitis, asthma or venom allergy.

    The foundation of eczema treatment is good skin care. This usually includes regular moisturisers, avoidance of irritants, and appropriate use of anti-inflammatory creams such as topical corticosteroids. In thinner-skinned areas, or where steroid-sparing treatment is needed, topical calcineurin inhibitors such as pimecrolimus or tacrolimus may be used.

    This does not mean that people with atopic dermatitis cannot also have allergies. In fact, people with eczema are at increased risk of developing allergic conditions, including food allergy, allergic rhinitis and asthma.

    However, treating those allergies does not necessarily treat the eczema itself. For example, if someone has hay fever or asthma triggered by dust mite, allergen immunotherapy may be considered for those allergic airway symptoms. But that is different from using desensitisation as a treatment for eczema.

    So the key is to work out what problem is actually being treated: eczema, food allergy, allergic rhinitis or asthma. These conditions can overlap, but they are not the same, and the treatment approach is different for each.

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